Srikala Sridhar, MD, on avelumab for locally advanced or metastatic penile cancer

Findings from the phase 2 ALPACA trial (NCT03391479) showed that avelumab (Bavencio) was well-tolerated and demonstrated modest activity in patients with locally advanced or metastatic penile cancer.¹

The data were presented at the 2025 European Society for Medical Oncology Congress in Berlin, Germany. In an interview with Urology Times®, presenting author Srikala Sridhar, MD, MSc, FRCPC, outlined the background and key findings from the trial.

The study included a total of 23 patients with a median age of 59 years. Overall, the clinical benefit rate was 21%, with the best response of partial response reported in 17% of patients. The median duration of responsewas 15.9 months (14.0 to 16.2).At a median follow-up of 15 months, the median progression-free survival was 1.7 months (95% CI, 1.5 to 1.8), and the median overall survival was 3.9 months (95% CI, 2.6 to 9.9).

According to the authors, avelumab was generally well-tolerated. At the time of data report, 3 patients (13%) remained on the trial.

REFERENCE

1. Sridhar SS, Stecca CE, Fernandes R, et al. A phase II study of avelumab in locally advanced or metastatic penile cancer patients unfit for platinum-based chemotherapy or progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy (ALPACA). Presented at: 2025 European Society for Medical Oncology Congress. October 17-21, 2025. Berlin, Germany. LBA37